The West Michigan Whitecaps (21-17) kicked off their road series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (21-20) with a little help from a familiar face on the mound in the form of Detroit Tigers big righthander Shane Greene.

Greene, who was assigned to the 15-day DL on April 28 for blister on his right middle finger got the night going in the first of a four-game visit to the TinCaps. Following a leadoff walk, Greene settled in to work three strong scoreless frames for the Whitecaps, allowing a pair of hits, walking one and fanning five.

Things got interesting for Fort Wayne when a misjudged call for time out cost TinCaps catcher Austin Allen a blast off the wall that took place just a moment after time was called. Following a swinging third strike, Allen didn't shy from displaying his frustration by slamming his bat, handing him an ejection from the game.

At the plate for West Michigan, David Gonzalez led an overall eight-hit night for the Whitecaps, finishing 3-for-3 with his first home run of the year, as well as the team's third home run overall this season. Outfielder Jose Azocar drove his fourth triple of the season, adding a run scored.

In relief, the one-two punch of Beau Burrows (2-3, 2.70 ERA) and West Michigan closer Jake Shull (1-0, 1.45 ERA) maneuvered the remainder of the night with Burrows tossing five scoreless frames and Shull notching his fifth save in as many opportunities as West Michigan takes the series opener from Fort Wayne.

HITS Following five scoreless innings of work, righty Beau Burrows has now held opposition to just one run in his last 10 innings for West Michigan.

MISSES West Michigan outfielder Cam Gibson struggled to ignite activity at the plate, finishing 0-for-4 at the plate. Gibson is just 3-for-12 in his last three games.

Final: West Michigan Whitecaps 3, Fort Wayne TinCaps 1

Coming up next: West Michigan returns to Parkview Field on Saturday evening for the second round of their road series. Whitecaps' southpaw Trent Szkutnik (1-0, 1.35 ERA) will start the night for West Michigan with game time slated for 7:05 pm.